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Do Some Evangelicals Go too Far in Their Efforts to Bring Patriotism into the Church?
PJ Media ^ | 07/05/2017 | BY CHRIS QUEEN

Posted on 07/05/2017 10:00:52 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

The 2016 presidential election brought politics and faith together in a way that excited some evangelical voters but made others uneasy. Then-candidate Donald Trump courted the evangelical vote in an astonishing and unprecedented way, and the melding of Christianity and nationalism created a most unusual marriage.

Trump's nationalism combined with the effort to win evangelical voters gave some Protestant leaders, like the Southern Baptist Convention's Russell Moore, pause. Other leaders, like Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. and Texas pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, placed themselves firmly within the Trump camp, which paid off come Election Day.

Jeffress appears to have doubled down on this nationalistic take on Christianity. This past Sunday at his church, First Baptist Church of Dallas, the congregation celebrated Freedom Sunday.

The service took place, complete with church members waving little American flags, the choir and worship team leading the congregation in patriotic songs, and fireworks. You read that right — fireworks.

Professor and blogger John Fea chronicled the service and weighed in:

People waved American flags during the service.

The last time I checked, the waving of the American flag was a sign of support or loyalty to the nation. Jeffress had no problem allowing such an act to take place in a church sanctuary–the place where Christians worship God as a form of expressing their ultimate loyalty. Patriotism is fine. Flag-waving is fine. But I wonder if any of the congregation felt uncomfortable that all of this took place in the church sanctuary on a Sunday morning.

One of the songs that the congregation sang was Woody Guthrie's folk song, "This Land Is Your Land." For those who don't know, Guthrie wrote the song as a godless alternative to "God Bless America." The original verses will make your head explode, and even if you don't have a problem with patriotism in the church, the inclusion of "This Land Is Your Land" should make your blood boil.

All of this begs the question: what place does patriotism have during a church service? Granted, First Baptist of Dallas's service appears to be way over the top, but can a church service focus on nationalism or patriotism?

It's a tricky question, really. Mentioning holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day during the service is fine. Praying for our country is wonderful — and vital. Talking about our freedom is great, especially if the sermon or discussion centers on our freedom in Christ. But an entire Sunday morning service turned into a festival of patriotism turns America into an idol.

A Sunday morning church service should serve as a reminder to believers that our true citizenship isn't in America or anywhere else on this planet. Our foremost allegiance is to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and our primary citizenship is in heaven. Our temporary, earthly American nationality doesn't even come close.
The always brilliant John Piper puts it this way:

When we are born again, we are united to Christ, our King, and we are delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of God so that now it can be said with glorious and profound reality, “Our citizenship is in heaven” ( Philippians 3:20).

Therefore, wherever we live on earth, whatever country, whatever tribe, whatever family or clan, we are pilgrims, sojourners, refugees, exiles in all of those. Our first identity is with the King of the universe, not any country or nationality or political party or governmental regime.

America is emphatically not our primary home or primary identity. That should be spoken. It should be felt and it should be precious. We should never be ashamed of identifying, first and foremost, as citizens of the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, Piper concludes, our worship services should reflect our place in God's kingdom. Thanking Him for our blessings and our freedom as Americans is wonderful, but anything else — whether it be the Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic song, or any other element of a church service that turns the focus on America and away from the Gospel — emphasizes the wrong allegiances.
There's nothing wrong with loving your country, and being a good citizen is actually something the Bible commands of us. I love America, and I believe that patriotism is a wonderful thing. But it's a secondary thing, and our heavenly community towers infinitely above our national identity.

As we enter our churches this Sunday morning (or whatever part of the weekend your church service of choice happens to fall), may we focus primarily on our allegiance to the God who created us, redeemed us, and loves us more than anything else. May we never forget the primacy of our belonging to God and His kingdom. Let's save our unbridled excitement at being American for Independence Day — there's plenty of time that day to celebrate!



TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: church; evangelical; patriotism
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To: robroys woman
I confess that in the last few years I think the JW’s got a couple of things absolutely right, and they may use that as a wedge to drive people away from Christian churches. But just because they are right about one thing doesn’t mean they are right about everything else.

True.

I think that most of us are elephant inspectors in our own way...


61 posted on 07/08/2017 5:09:48 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: SubMareener
But the Catholics have glombed onto this as meaning THEIR religious organization and no one else's.


One can tell that Paul is writing to INDIVIDUALS in that chapter;

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

and not some organization.


2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

62 posted on 07/08/2017 5:14:26 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ping jockey
The things of God utterly transcend all politics , principalities , monarchies or any other issues of government.

The title: Do Some Evangelicals Go too Far in Their Efforts to Bring Patriotism into the Church? doesn't even MENTION the USA.


Revelation 5:8-10

When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held the golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them into a kingdom, priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

63 posted on 07/08/2017 5:18:04 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: StormPrepper
Our religious beliefs are centered around Jesus Christ not the US Constitution.

Even the signs on your buildings agree with you.


But there are a few little nagging problems that have been mentioned over and over on FR...

64 posted on 07/08/2017 5:20:12 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: RegulatorCountry


...the presidential campaign of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith in 1844: “Challenging Democrat James Polk and Whig Henry Clay, Smith prophesied that if the U.S. Congress did not accede to his demands that ‘they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them.’

Smith viewed capturing the presidency as part of the mission of the church.

65 posted on 07/08/2017 5:21:28 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: ravenwolf

You make kitty smile!


66 posted on 07/08/2017 5:22:12 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: daniel1212; SeekAndFind
Christianity in America, as it has in Europe, is rapidly evaporating. We see corruption, lying, murdering, abortions, divorce, etc. all on the rise. We see church attendance and belief in God decreasing. This should give us pause that we are slowly no longer reflecting God's goodness.

Personally, I've become more and more uncomfortable with singing "God Bless America" when we can't even stop the funding of Planned Parenthood.

67 posted on 07/08/2017 5:57:52 AM PDT by HarleyD (Ecc 10:2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.)
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To: daniel1212

I disagree.


68 posted on 07/08/2017 6:49:47 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: robroys woman
one of the things I loved about my church when I first joined was that it was the only one I’d been in that didn’t have an american flag anywhere to be seen.

We got you covered - our church has two ;-). The place that we rent has two American flags and a flag for each branch of the armed services mounted on the wall. No one has every said a word about it.

The views of the elders would be in line with Piper's. Our allegiance is to God first. Patriotism is not wrong provided it doesn't become an idol.

69 posted on 07/08/2017 7:55:05 AM PDT by CommerceComet (Hillary: A unique blend of arrogance, incompetence, and corruption.)
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To: CommerceComet

The views of the elders would be in line with Piper’s. Our allegiance is to God first. Patriotism is not wrong provided it doesn’t become an idol.


I get that. However, to me, having an american flag in the church during church service is the equivalent to having the flag or logo of your favorite sports team up during the service.

When the church building is being used as a community center, I think anything “not sinful” is fine. But when it is used to gather specifically in the name of God and to worship him, things like national flags, favorite album covers, team logos, etc. are inappropriate.

But that’s just me. Different people have different opinions on it.


70 posted on 07/08/2017 8:27:41 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: robroys woman
equivalent to having the flag or logo of your favorite sports team up during the service.

Actually, those are not in the room used as the sanctuary but there are some in the next room which is used for snacks and fellowship. This is a meeting house owned and used by others so we don't have much say in the matter of decoration. We are in a college and military town so some of this stuff just goes with the territory.

Unless prominently displayed, I probably wouldn't even notice a flag.

71 posted on 07/08/2017 10:17:51 AM PDT by CommerceComet (Hillary: A unique blend of arrogance, incompetence, and corruption.)
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To: robroys woman
I disagree.

Which has no more substance than asserting that church being about our relationship with our creator and our fellow travelers in that relationship means that being concerned and seeking to influence the activities and affairs involved in managing a government upon Christian principals is excluded. although making the government our hope and security and preoccupation is.

72 posted on 07/08/2017 3:29:41 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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To: robroys woman
But when it is used to gather specifically in the name of God and to worship him, things like national flags, favorite album covers, team logos, etc. are inappropriate.

I agree.

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (Mark 9:5-8)

73 posted on 07/08/2017 4:09:09 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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To: SeekAndFind; robroys woman
All of this begs the question: what place does patriotism have during a church service? Granted, First Baptist of Dallas's service appears to be way over the top,

Indeed it was that one day.

but can a church service focus on nationalism or patriotism? It's a tricky question, really. Mentioning holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day during the service is fine. Praying for our country is wonderful — and vital. Talking about our freedom is great, especially if the sermon or discussion centers on our freedom in Christ. But an entire Sunday morning service turned into a festival of patriotism turns America into an idol.

Too likely the case for many in the few churches that turn an entire Sunday morning service turned into a festival of patriotism, yet the example mentioned was a once a year event, and is hardly a norm. I understand the concern over the pot that boils over, but what about the one that hardly simmers?

Actually there should be both grieving over iniquity, first our own, then that of the church, and then that of our earthly country, and for that of the world.

And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing,

Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary . Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:4-6)

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

As concerns our earthly country, what is missed or dismissed by Christians who exclude patriotism is that America has a unique Christian heritage, and we are blessed to have entered into the labors of others, and the blessings procured by them.

And thus a special appreciation for this country is in order (and for Israel), as well as special grief over its spiritual declension, and thus a special focus on preserving what was handed on, as "good stewards of the manifold grace of God," (1 Pt. 4:10) and regaining what was lost.

However, what we typically see is either the country being treated as if it was the church, with more concern over it than the body of God, so that a Christian's peach and joy is dependent on political circumstances, or we see ambivalence toward the state of government, and or attacks on Christians who show concern. However,

74 posted on 07/08/2017 4:09:22 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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To: HarleyD
Personally, I've become more and more uncomfortable with singing "God Bless America" when we can't even stop the funding of Planned Parenthood.

If America does not bless God it shall not be blessed.

75 posted on 07/08/2017 4:32:01 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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To: daniel1212
Mentioning holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day during the service is fine.

holidays = Holy Days

76 posted on 07/09/2017 3:58:02 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: daniel1212

I compare our country to ancient Rome more than to the ancient Jewish theocracy of Israel.


77 posted on 07/10/2017 8:12:56 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: daniel1212

I’m with you. I don’t even remember what particular point in the post I disagreed with. The post was too long and covered too much stuff.

I simply did not have the time to cover all the nuances brought up. I needed to grade my driveway.


78 posted on 07/10/2017 8:17:44 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: robroys woman
I’m with you. I don’t even remember what particular point in the post I disagreed with. The post was too long and covered too much stuff. I simply did not have the time to cover all the nuances brought up. I needed to grade my driveway.

I think we much agree, and hope you got the driveway in. Here in this crowded (20,000 per sq mile) city they require 19.5 feet across and 200 feet back from the sidewalk for a driveway permit, but for about 500.00 they might grant you a special permit.

I suspect this is the idea of college grads who live in the suburbs.

79 posted on 07/11/2017 8:08:34 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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To: daniel1212

Err... make that 20’ back!


80 posted on 07/11/2017 8:10:34 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + folllow Him)
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